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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;lrbguy, post: 3053954, member: 88829&quot;]I understand that, but hope that you are able to test the item without chemically altering it. Non-destructive testing would require some lab equipment, but if you have access to that you will do well.&nbsp; In the meantime, it would be useful to give us some idea of the weight of the object, its size dimensions, and overall appearance.</p><p><br /></p><p>Here are a couple of examples to use for a comparison.&nbsp; This first shows the principle two &quot;denominations&quot; of these coins (I reject the so called &quot;proto-money&quot; designation) next to a scale marked in millimeters.&nbsp; Although both bear inscriptions which are specific to their size, the precise meaning of these inscriptions is unknown.&nbsp; Note that the larger of these two measures approx. 41mm, and the smaller 24mm.&nbsp; These vary but divide into two size ranges in about these proportions.&nbsp; Both are pretty much intact for their size.&nbsp; [ATTACH=full]764724[/ATTACH] </p><p><br /></p><p>This next makes use of the larger example to compare with what may have been a still larger example, uninscribed and encrusted.&nbsp; From your initial description I imagine that your piece is something like this one.&nbsp; This fragment is not as long as 40mm, but appears to be the front half of a much larger example.&nbsp; I am not going to reduce the encrustation until I know how to tell where it ends and the coin surface begins.&nbsp; I think you have some experience with that.</p><p>[ATTACH=full]764726[/ATTACH]</p><p><br /></p><p>These next three are types of the large module figure (fish or dolphin). The first shows a rare example with a complete tail.&nbsp; This full version has a raised spine and measures 44mm.[ATTACH=full]764741[/ATTACH] </p><p><br /></p><p>Using this as a template, the next image shows this alongside a similar type with dorsal and ventral fins and a raised spine.&nbsp; This is the usual form of the larger module &quot;dolphin&quot; which does not display a tail but is about the same length as the example that does.&nbsp; I doubt that the lower example was ever intended to have a bifurcated tail.[ATTACH=full]764742[/ATTACH] </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>This next (third) large example is distinguished from the two above by having curvature to its body in three dimensions.&nbsp; It is not bent, but rather has smooth continuous curves that make fine focus difficult in these closeups.&nbsp; As you can see it has dual fins, elevated spine, and a tail, but this tail is not bifurcate.&nbsp; It also measures about 44mm.</p><p>[ATTACH=full]764744[/ATTACH] </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Up next is a mid-range version in which the length is about 35mm complete with tail and elevated spine, but the body is more bulbous than the other versions shown here.&nbsp; </p><p>[ATTACH=full]764752[/ATTACH] </p><p><br /></p><p>These are all larger versions of the dolphin/fish type.&nbsp; I have put these out as teasers for a larger discussion of the Olbian dolphins, which I do not believe were a &quot;proto-money&quot; in their day.&nbsp; For now I will spare you the raft of smaller types.&nbsp; </p><p><br /></p><p>Does your &quot;gold&quot; example fit in with any of these?[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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